After the first missionary journey, Paul wanted to return to the cities where he had preached – to see how the churches there were faring. A similar concern lies behind this tour: it is meant for pastors, church leadership teams and home-group and group leaders who are planning a Paul tour with their church and would like to walk the apostle's routes themselves first.
From Antalya you follow the coast into Cilicia as far as Tarsus, Paul's home town. In Antioch on the Orontes the disciples were first called Christians, and the first missionary journey began from the nearby port of Seleucia. Through the Cilician Gates you travel on to Cappadocia, then to Iconium and Pisidian Antioch, and finally to Perga, where Paul and Barnabas set foot on the mainland and preached there once more on their way back.
Along the way you discuss driving times, places of devotion and options for your group with your state-licensed, English-speaking tour guide; at the end there is a joint planning session. There are two fixed dates for 2027; the tour is open to Christians of all denominations.
The Bible reading path
Passages you will read on site
Acts 22:3Tarsus
Paul names Tarsus in Cilicia as his birthplace – read at St Paul's Well.
Acts 11:19–26Antioch on the Orontes
From Jews and Greeks grows a church whose members are first called Christians.
Gal 2:11Antioch on the Orontes
At Antioch Paul withstands Peter to the face – a struggle for the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Acts 13:1–4Seleucia Pieria
Sent forth by the Holy Ghost, Barnabas and Saul go down to Seleucia and sail to Cyprus.
1 Pet 1:1Cappadocia
Peter also greets the elect strangers scattered in Cappadocia.
Acts 14:1–7Iconium (Konya)
Preaching in the synagogue, faith and opposition – and the flight to Lystra and Derbe.
Acts 13:14–52Pisidian Antioch
Paul's first sermon recorded in detail, and the turn towards the Gentiles.
Acts 13:13Perga
Arrival on the mainland; John Mark departs from the apostles.
Acts 14:25–26Attalia (Antalya)
After preaching in Perga, the apostles sail from Attalia back to Antioch.
Tip: bring your own Bible – at each place we open the relevant passage together. Bible quotations: King James Version.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day1
Arrival in Pamphylia
Antalya Airport → Antalya
At Antalya Airport your local, state-licensed tour guide welcomes you and accompanies you to the hotel. It was in this landscape that Paul and Barnabas set foot on the mainland of Asia Minor on the first missionary journey. Over a welcome cocktail you receive an overview of the missionary journeys and of the coming week's route. An initial conversation clarifies what you are looking for in your own church trip – length, focal points and the particular needs of your group.
Overnight: Antalya area
Day2
The Coast Road to Cilicia
Antalya → Alanya → Anamurium → Silifke
A long day's drive through impressive scenery leads via Alanya along the winding road between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. At midday you reach Anamurium at the southernmost point of Asia Minor, an ancient port city with baths, odeon, mosaics and an extensive necropolis. In the evening you arrive in Silifke. A tip for your planning: with a church group it is advisable to break this stretch with an overnight stay in Alanya or Anamur.
Overnight: Silifke area
Day3
Thecla, the Corycian Caves and Tarsus
Silifke → Narlıkuyu → Tarsus → Issus → Antakya
Early in the day you visit Hagia Thecla with its cave church and the remains of a large basilica; tradition links the site with Thecla, a disciple of Paul. In the Corycian Caves you descend many steps to a small 5th-century church of the Virgin Mary. At midday you reach Tarsus with St Paul's Well, the Roman road and Cleopatra's Gate. Past the plain of Issus and over the Amanus Mountains you continue to Antakya.
Acts 9:11Acts 22:3Overnight: Antakya
Day4
Antioch and Seleucia – Starting Point of the Mission
As far as accessible after the 2023 earthquake, you visit the Grotto of St Peter on Mount Staurin and the Mosaic Museum. In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians, and from here Barnabas and Saul were sent out. At the ancient port of Seleucia Pieria, where they went on board, you also see the entrance to the Roman Titus Tunnel. In the afternoon you cross the Taurus through the Cilician Gates, an ancient pass, and reach Niğde.
Acts 11:19–26Gal 2:11Acts 13:1–4Overnight: Niğde area
Day5
Cappadocia and the Road to Iconium
Niğde → Eski Gümüş → Kaymaklı → Göreme → Sultanhanı → Konya
At Eski Gümüş Monastery frescoes glow in one of the best-preserved rock churches of Cappadocia. In the underground city of Kaymaklı narrow passages lead deep into the tuff, where the inhabitants withdrew in troubled times. At the Göreme Open-Air Museum you see the monks' cave churches. Along the old Silk Road you reach the Sultanhanı caravanserai and, in the evening, Konya. The First Epistle of Peter already greets Christians in Cappadocia.
1 Pet 1:1Overnight: Konya
Day6
Iconium and Pisidian Antioch
Konya → Yalvaç → Lake Eğirdir → Antalya
In Konya, biblical Iconium, you visit the Church of St Paul and the Mevlana Museum. At midday you reach Pisidian Antioch with its theatre, aqueduct, Temple of Augustus and the foundations of an early church; here Paul preached his first recorded sermon. Then you travel along Lake Eğirdir and down through the mountains to Antalya. For your planning: with one extra day, Lystra and the St Paul Trail can be included in the church trip.
Acts 14:1–7Acts 13:14–52Overnight: Antalya area
Day7
Aspendos, Perga and the Planning Session
Aspendos · Perga · Antalya-Kaleiçi
The morning belongs to Aspendos and its theatre, the best-preserved of antiquity. In Perga you walk through the city gate and stadium and along the colonnaded street with its water channel – here the Asia Minor leg of the first missionary journey began and ended. In the afternoon you enjoy a çay at the old harbour of Attalia in the old town of Kaleiçi. In the evening comes the review: which sites and what length of tour suit your church? Followed by a farewell dinner.
Acts 13:13Acts 14:25–26Overnight: Antalya area
Day8
Journey Home
Antalya → Antalya Airport
Depending on your flight time, your guide accompanies you to the airport up to check-in. You take home not only impressions but a clear picture of what your church's Paul tour could look like – with stages, readings and resting points you have tried out yourself. If you wish, you can extend the trip beforehand with some beach days. May the Lord bless your planning.
⛔ No shopping stops: carpet, jewellery or leather showrooms are not part of this tour.
Included
7 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels with breakfast and dinner buffet
Travel by air-conditioned coach and airport transfers
State-licensed, English-speaking tour guide
Admission fees as per programme
Planning consultation for your future church trip
Welcome cocktail
Not included
Flights – on request we will enquire about suitable connections for you
Lunches and drinks
Tips (guideline: tour guide approx. €3–5, driver approx. €2–3 per day)
Travel insurance
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of a familiarisation tour?
You get to know the sites, routes, hotels and driving times for yourself and discuss with the guide along the way how the later trip for your church or group could be designed.
Who can take part?
Pastors, church leadership teams, home-group and group leaders, and those responsible for Christian associations and ministries who are planning a Paul tour – from all denominations.
When are the dates?
In 2027 the tour runs twice: 23.01. to 30.01.2027 and 06.11. to 13.11.2027. On request we can also plan a date of its own for your leadership team.
Will the tour price be credited later?
Yes. If a church or group tour with at least 20 paying participants is booked through us within two years, we refund the price of this familiarisation tour.
Are flights included?
No, you book your flight to Antalya yourself. Tick “Please also quote for flights” on the enquiry form and we will enquire about suitable connections for you.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is available on request; you receive a personal offer based on date, group size and room allocation – free and without obligation.
Enquiry & booking
Enquire about this tour
Familiarisation Tour in the Footsteps of Paul – for Pastors and Group Leaders
